Homelessness and it's EverPresent Reality!

A 69-year-old man lives in his car, he worries about his autistic son, and he sheds tears over not having a safe place for his child to come visit and spend nights.

Two sisters, 19 and 21, were evicted from their home with no immediate place to go, so they’re now rotating in and out of the houses of their relatives and friends.

A woman in her 30s sleeps under a bridge with her boyfriend. A man in his 60s just up the hill sleeps under a canopy of trees. And then on the other side of the hill, a woman in her 50s sleeps in her car. And then a little further down the street, a man in his 40s has set up his tent by the river.

These people are real. The struggle is real, every day, people make their way to agencies, seeking housing that is appropriate, safe and affordable…

They wait and wait and wait, joining a list of thousands of unhoused people needing, hoping, seeking…

…because, the many hotels used for emergency housing, which mainly cater for families experiencing homelessness are full.

…because the many transitional apartments and houses are also full of people experiencing homelessness.

…because, many houses are overcrowded, many families sleep in garages, many people are couch surfing, and there are barely any available rooms in boarding houses.

When people say homelessness isn’t a problem in Aotearoa, don’t believe them!

When people say homelessness is a choice in Aotearoa, don’t believe them!

When people say homelessness is fake and self-inflicted in Aotearoa, don’t believe them!

The struggle is real, homelessness is real, the needs are real, and food insecurity is real, in Aotearoa. I see it every day!

HUD reports that there are 102,123 people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa. That’s a large number. We have a problem, and the problem is real. We need to stop comparing ourselves to LA, Chicago and London, we need to stop thinking other countries have serious issues and we don’t, we need to stop thinking our problem isn’t a problem. It is!

As we wait for and challenge the NZ government to address this need, we need to do what we can do to end homelessness. We need to bring solutions and hope!  When we come together for those in need, we have the power to bring positive change.

Let’s return to the 69-year-old man I first mentioned. This week we had the honour of helping him move out of his car and into a transitional apartment. His autistic son can now visit him. We listened, we networked, we advocated and we persevered. His journey isn’t over, but this man has been reunited with his child, now lives in a safe secure apartment and has renewed hope!

The struggle in Aotearoa is real, but hope is real here too! My challenge is: Love your unhoused neighbours, be compassionate whenever you can and offer hope to those in need around you!